Durbin: Congress Must Chart Next Steps to Prevent Asian Carp from Entering the Great Lakes

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) today reacted to a decision by the Supreme Court to reject a request from Michigan and other Great Lakes states that would have forced Illinois to stop the flow of water from the Mississippi River into Lake Michigan.

“The Supreme Court made the right decision today. Illinois is committed to restoring and protecting our Great Lakes just as much as Michigan or any other state.

“Last week, federal, state, and local officials held a briefing on the threat that Asian Carp pose to the Great Lakes and the options available for prevention. This was just one step on a path to establish and implement a long-term, comprehensive Asian carp containment plan.

“Our next step is to engage the leaders in every state that borders the Great Lakes. This is not a problem that can easily be solved in a courtroom. We must all work together to find a solution that will protect our lakes, while preserving jobs and promoting economic activity in the region.”